Teen romance leads to 60 years of marriage

KATH and Allan Male have been married for 60 years and celebrated this milestone occasion at Redcliffe with close friends and members of their family.

Kathleen Grenfell was just 13 years old when she first met 15-year-old lad porter Allan Male at the local train station when she was on her way to school in Toowoomba.

Years later on 31 January, 1959 they were married at the Margaret Street Church of Christ in Toowoomba.

Allan and Kath Male on their wedding day on January 31, 1959.

Their eldest child Linda Coster was born while they were at Theological College in Melbourne. Their first ministry was in Portland, Victoria where two more daughters, Merryn Major and Coralie Just, arrived.

In 1965 Allan accepted the position of Director of Youth and Christian Education for the Churches of Christ in Queensland and the family moved into the church manse at Gotha St, Camp Hill.

As part of this work he undertook the oversight of camps at Camp Cal at Caloundra, Teen Ranch at Marburg as well as on Magnetic Island and at Emu Park. While they were living at Camp Hill their son Stephen was born.

In 1972 the family moved to Rose St, Lawnton and then in 1974 to Boundary Rd, Narangba (the road was dirt back then).

The girls attended Pine Rivers District State High School, Strathpine while Stephen attended the newly-opened Grace Lutheran College, Rothwell.

Rev Male began the work of the Shaftesbury Citizenship Centre in Spring Hill and Shaftesbury Campus at Burpengary.

He has been recognised for his work with young people many times including being named Father of the Year in 1976 and receiving an AM and MBE.

He was appointed the Director of Family Services for the Queensland Government for several years.

Allan and Kath Male at their 60th wedding anniversary celebration at Boondall Church of Christ. Picture: Coralie Just

Allan was a member of Rotary with over 50 years of 100 per cent attendance. He was elected as the District Governor of District 960 (now District 9600) in 1985/1986.

Kathleen has always been by his side providing great assistance with the camps and women's groups and ministries including playing the organ and piano for services. She also worked as a teacher aide at Ann St, Kallangur Church of Christ Child Care Centre for several years.

During a brief retirement they first moved to Rothwell then Sutton's Beach. In 2008, Allan and Kath were asked to fill a two-year ministry at Boondall Church of Christ which went on to last 10 years.

During this time Allan was a columnist for The Bayside Star on Brisbane's northside, writing The Male Report.

Kath and Allan loved to travel and are fortunate to have travelled to every continent including enjoying a world cruise in 2014. They were delighted to see the northern lights on a trip to Norway in January 2017.